Qatar's ruler to visit UK to boost relations

DOHA

Qatar's ruler, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, is to pay an official visit to the U.K. to boost cooperation between the two countries.

According to the Qatar News Agency, Al Thani will travel to London on Tuesday and he will meet Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom.

He will hold talks Wednesday with Prime Minister David Cameron.

The agency said that Al Thani aims to enhance bilateral relations between the two countries and means to develop them at all levels, in addition to a review of a number of matters of mutual concern.

Trade volume between the two nations stood at $8 billion in 2012.

Qatar sells more than $5 billion worth of liquefied natural gas each year, meeting almost 20 percent of the U.K.’s yearly gas needs -- making the U.K. Qatar's best customer after Japan.

It is also a major investor in the U.K. through its sovereign wealth fund, owning 20 percent of the London Stock Exchange in addition to the Shard -- an 87-storey skyscraper in London.

Qatar is planning to spend $120 billion on public infrastructure between 2011 and 2016, including building a new airport, a national railway and a city metro. 

Many U.K. companies have expressed interest in being involved in these projects.

www.aa.com.tr/en